clip

Abstract

To provide a clip capable of maintaining a proper fastening state regardless of a material.SOLUTION: A clip 1 has a grommet 15 and a pin 16. Lock claws of the grommet each have a first piece part 24A and a claw part 24B protruding from a tip of the first piece part to a side opposing a receiving hole. Support pieces of the grommet each have a second piece part 25A and a lock projection part 25B protruding from a tip of the second piece part. A pin is movable relative to the grommet between a temporary fixing position and a fastening position. When the pin is at the temporary fixing position, respective first piece parts face a small-diameter part 31B of a shaft part across a gap to be displaceable toward the shaft part side. When the pin is at the fastening position, the respective first piece parts abut on a large-diameter part 31A of the shaft part to be restricted from being displaced toward the shaft part side. Holding pieces 29 extending in a circumferential direction around an axis line are provided at tips of the respective second piece parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip having grommets and pins.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clip for attaching a bumper retainer to a vehicle body. The clip has a grommet and a pin formed on the bumper retainer. The grommet has a plurality of locking claws that are inserted into a coupling hole formed in the vehicle body. When a pin is inserted into the grommet, the plurality of locking claws are pushed by the pin and spread, locking the edge of the coupling hole. Thereby, the bumper retainer is coupled to the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where the locking claws are coupled to the coupling hole in a state of being pushed and spread by the pin, if the grommet is formed of a resin material having high rigidity, that is, low toughness, the locking claws may plastically deform, and the adhesion between the locking claws and the coupling hole may decrease. As a result, there is a problem that rattling and abnormal noise of the grommet occur.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a clip that can maintain an appropriate fastening state regardless of the material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a clip (1) for connecting to a panel (3) having a connecting hole (7), comprising: a main body (22) having a receiving hole (21); a grommet (15) having a plurality of locking claws (24) and a plurality of support pieces (25) extending from around the receiving hole in the main body along the axis (A) of the receiving hole; and a pin (16) having a shaft portion (31) inserted into the receiving hole, wherein the shaft portion It has a large diameter portion (31A) provided on the base end side and a small diameter portion (31B) provided on the tip side of the large diameter portion and having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion, the small diameter portion has a first engaging portion (33) provided on the tip side and a second engaging portion (34) provided on the large diameter side of the first engaging portion, each of the locking claws has a first piece portion (24A) extending from the main body portion parallel to the axis of the receiving hole, and from the tip of the first piece portion Each of the support pieces has a claw portion (24B) protruding on the side opposite to the receiving hole, and each of the support pieces has a second piece portion (25A) extending from the main body portion parallel to the axis of the receiving hole, and a locking projection (25B) protruding from the tip of the second piece portion toward the receiving hole, and the pin is movable relative to the grommet between a temporary fixing position in which each of the locking projections engages with the first engaging portion and a fastening position in which each of the locking projections engages with the second engaging portion, and when the pin is in the temporary fixing position, each of the first pieces can be displaced toward the shaft portion by facing the small diameter portion with a gap between them, and when the pin is in the fastening position, each of the first pieces is restricted from being displaced toward the shaft portion by contacting the large diameter portion, and each of the tips of the second piece portions is provided with a retaining piece (29) extending in the circumferential direction about the axis.

[0007] According to this embodiment, a clip can be provided that can maintain an appropriate fastening state regardless of the material. When the pin is in the temporary fastening position, the locking claw can be displaced toward the shaft, so the locking claw can pass through the coupling hole. When the pin is in the fastening position, the locking claw cannot be displaced toward the shaft, so the locking claw is maintained in a state of locking the coupling hole. When the pin is in the fastening position, the locking claw is not deformed, so plastic deformation of the locking claw is suppressed. When the pin is in the temporary fastening position, a gap is formed between the shaft and the locking claw, but since the locking protrusions and retaining pieces of the multiple support pieces surround the shaft, tilting of the shaft relative to the grommet is suppressed.

[0008] In the above embodiment, each of the retaining pieces may be positioned further away from the main body than the tip of the first piece.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the retaining piece can hold the shaft portion closer to the tip than the first piece portion, and the tilting of the shaft portion relative to the grommet is more effectively suppressed.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the plurality of support pieces may include a pair of support pieces, and in a cross section perpendicular to the axis, the pair of retaining pieces may be arranged to form a frame shape surrounding the small diameter portion.

[0011] According to this embodiment, tilting of the shaft relative to the grommet is more effectively suppressed.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the second piece may be inclined toward the shaft portion toward the tip portion, and the retaining piece may be positioned toward the shaft portion than the base end of the second piece.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the retaining piece can be brought closer to the shaft, and the tilting of the shaft relative to the grommet is more effectively suppressed.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the second engaging portion includes a plurality of recesses (34A) arranged along the circumferential direction of the shaft portion, and the bottom of each recess may be provided with an inclined surface (34B) that becomes shallower in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the rotation of the shaft allows the locking projection to slide on the inclined surface and disengage from the second engaging portion.

[0016] In the above embodiment, a first cam (41) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the base end of the shaft portion, and a second cam (42) is provided on the main body portion that abuts against the first cam. As the shaft portion rotates in a predetermined rotational direction, each of the locking projections slides on the corresponding inclined surface and disengages from the recess, and the first cam and the second cam slide against each other, causing the shaft portion to move in a direction away from the receiving hole. Each of the retaining pieces may extend in the rotational direction from the corresponding second piece portion.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the tip of the retaining piece is prevented from getting caught on the shaft.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the main body of the grommet is integrally formed with the bracket supporting the radar (5), and the panel may be a vehicle body panel.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the radar bracket can be attached to the vehicle body by a clip. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a clip that can maintain an appropriate fastening state regardless of the material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] Exploded perspective view of the fastening structure according to the embodiment [Figure 2] Front view showing part of the panel [Figure 3] Perspective view showing a clip in a temporarily fixed state [Figure 4] Perspective view of grommet [Figure 5] Perspective view of pin [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the clip in a temporarily fixed state as seen from the Y direction [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the clip in a temporarily fixed state as seen from the X direction [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7 [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 7 [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the clip in a fastened state as seen from the Y direction [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the clip in a fastened state as seen from the X direction [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of Figure 11 [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view of the clip in a released state as seen from the X direction [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of Figure 13 [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of Figure 13 [Figure 16] Side view of the support piece of the clip inserted into the reference hole as seen from the Y direction [Figure 17] Side view of the support piece of the clip inserted into the secondary hole as seen from the Y direction [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view of the clip in a temporarily fixed state inserted into the secondary hole as seen from the Y direction [Figure 19] Side view of the support piece of the clip inserted into the secondary hole as seen from the Y direction

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Embodiments of clip 1 and fastening structure 2 having clip 1 are described below. As shown in Figure 1, fastening structure 2 has a plate-shaped panel 3, a bracket 4, and a plurality of clips 1 that fasten the bracket 4 to the panel 3. The bracket 4 supports a radar 5 such as a millimeter-wave radar. The bracket 4 may support other electrical devices such as sensors instead of the radar 5. The panel 3 to which the bracket 4 is attached may be, for example, a car body panel or a stay connected to a car body panel. In this embodiment, the panel 3 is a stay.

[0023] Panel 3 has a plurality of connecting holes 7. Each connecting hole 7 penetrates panel 3 in the thickness direction. Preferably, each connecting hole 7 is formed at the left and right corners of the front end of the vehicle, or at the left and right corners of the rear end. The plurality of connecting holes 7 include one reference hole 7A and at least one sub-hole 7B. In this embodiment, one reference hole 7A and three sub-holes 7B are formed in panel 3.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the reference hole 7A and the secondary hole 7B are each formed in the shape of a square. Each of the reference hole 7A and the secondary hole 7B has a pair of opposing first sides 11 and a pair of opposing second sides 12. The first sides 11 of the reference hole 7A and the secondary hole 7B each extend in the same direction. Also, the second sides 12 of the reference hole 7A and the secondary hole 7B each extend in the same direction. The first sides 11 of the reference hole 7A and the secondary hole 7B each extend in the left-right direction (horizontal direction). The second sides 12 each extend in the up-down direction (vertical direction). The first sides 11 and the second sides 12 are perpendicular to each other. In the reference hole 7A, the lengths of the first sides 11 and the second sides 12 are equal. That is, the reference hole 7A is formed in the shape of a square. In the sub-hole 7B, the length of the first side 11 is preferably longer than the length of the second side 12. That is, the sub-hole 7B is formed in the shape of a rectangle. The reference hole 7A and the three sub-holes 7B are preferably positioned at the corners of a hypothetical rectangle.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the bracket 4 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate and is arranged parallel to the panel 3. The radar 5 is supported in the central part 4A of the bracket 4. The central part 4A of the bracket 4 may be provided with a support wall or elastic claws to support the bracket 4.

[0026] Bracket 4 is joined to panel 3 via multiple clips 1. In this embodiment, four clips 1 are provided at the four corners of bracket 4. Each clip 1 has the same structure except for some configurations described later. Therefore, one clip 1 will be described and then used in conjunction with the description of the other clips 1.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the clip 1 has a grommet 15 and a pin 16. The bracket 4 and the grommets 15 may be made of a relatively rigid resin material. The bracket 4 and the grommets 15 may be made of fiber-reinforced plastic, for example, polybutylene terephthalate containing glass fibers. The pin 16 may be made of a resin material that is more flexible than the bracket 4. The pin 16 may be made of polyacetal, for example.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7, the grommet 15 has a main body 22 having a receiving hole 21, and a plurality of locking claws 24 and a plurality of support pieces 25 extending from around the receiving hole 21 in the main body 22 along the axis A of the receiving hole 21. The direction parallel to axis A is defined as the Z direction. The main body 22 is formed in a disc shape and has a first surface 22A facing the panel 3 and a second surface 22B opposite to the first surface 22A. The axis A of the receiving hole 21 coincides with the axis A of the main body 22. The receiving hole 21 penetrates the main body 22 from the first surface 22A to the second surface 22B. The main body 22 is formed integrally with the bracket 4. The main body 22 may be connected to the bracket 4 at its outer circumference 22D. The second surface 22B of the main body 22 is provided with a cylindrical peripheral wall 26 centered on axis A. Bracket 4 should also be connected to the surrounding wall 26.

[0029] Multiple weight-reducing holes 27 are formed in appropriate locations on the main body 22. The multiple weight-reducing holes 27 preferably penetrate from the first surface 22A to the second surface 22B. The multiple weight-reducing holes 27 extend in the circumferential direction around axis A, dividing the main body 22 into a central portion 22C and an outer peripheral portion 22D. The central portion 22C and the outer peripheral portion 22D are connected to each other by multiple beam portions 28 provided between adjacent weight-reducing holes 27. When viewed from a direction along axis A, the outer shape of the central portion 22C is formed as a square.

[0030] The receiving hole 21 is formed in the central portion 22C. In this embodiment, the receiving hole 21 has a square cross-sectional shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the receiving hole 21 may be circular or rectangular. The receiving hole 21 forms a cylindrical shape in the central portion 22C.

[0031] In this embodiment, a pair of locking claws 24 and a pair of support pieces 25 are provided on the first surface 22A of the main body 22. The pair of locking claws 24 face each other across axis A in the X direction perpendicular to axis A. The pair of support pieces 25 face each other across axis A in the Y direction perpendicular to axis A and the X direction.

[0032] Each of the locking claws 24 has a first piece 24A extending parallel to axis A from the main body 22, and a claw portion 24B protruding from the tip of the first piece 24A on the side opposite to the receiving hole 21. Each first piece 24A is formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the X direction. The tip of each first piece 24A can be displaced by elastic deformation in the X direction.

[0033] Each support piece 25 has a second piece 25A extending parallel to axis A from the main body 22, and a locking projection 25B protruding from the tip of the second piece 25A toward the receiving hole 21. Furthermore, each support piece 25 may have a pair of columnar sections 25C extending parallel to axis A from the main body 22, and a pair of connecting sections 25D connecting the second piece 25A to the pair of columnar sections 25C. In the X direction, the second piece 25A is positioned between the pair of columnar sections 25C via a pair of slits 25E. The pair of connecting sections 25D extend in the X direction and connect the second piece 25A to the corresponding columnar section 25C. The connecting sections 25D are also connected to the central section 22C. Each slit 25E is defined by the second piece 25A, the columnar sections 25C, and the connecting sections 25D. The slit 25E allows the second piece 25A and the column 25C to flex independently of each other.

[0034] The tip of each column portion 25C is further from the main body portion 22 than the tip of the first piece portion 24A. The tip of the second piece portion 25A is further from the main body portion 22 than the tip of each column portion 25C. The tip of each second piece portion 25A is inclined toward axis A. Each tip of the second piece portion 25A is provided with a retaining piece 29 that extends in the circumferential direction about axis A. Each retaining piece 29 is positioned further from the main body portion 22 than the tip of the first piece portion 24A. Also, each retaining piece 29 is positioned further from the main body portion 22 than the tip of each column portion 25C.

[0035] Each retaining piece 29 has a first portion 29A extending in the X direction from the tip of the second piece portion 25A, and a second portion 29B extending in the Y direction from one end of the first portion 29A. In a cross-section perpendicular to axis A, the pair of retaining pieces 29 are arranged to form a frame shape surrounding the small diameter portion 31B. The frame shape is preferably formed in the shape of a square. Each of the retaining pieces 29 is preferably extended counterclockwise from the corresponding second piece portion 25A with axis A as the center. The circumferential direction (direction of rotation) is based on the view from the base end side (main body portion 22 side) along axis A. Each retaining piece 29 is positioned closer to the shaft portion 31 than the base end of the second piece portion 25A.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the pin 16 has a shaft portion 31 that is inserted into the receiving hole 21. The shaft portion 31 inserted into the receiving hole 21 is arranged coaxially with axis A. The base end of the shaft portion 31 protrudes from the second surface 22B, and the tip of the shaft portion 31 protrudes from the first surface 22A. The shaft portion 31 has a large diameter portion 31A provided on the base end side and a small diameter portion 31B provided on the tip side of the large diameter portion 31A and having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 31A. Between the large diameter portion 31A and the small diameter portion 31B, there is a tapered portion 31C in which the diameter gradually increases from the small diameter portion 31B toward the large diameter portion 31A. The small diameter portion 31B has a first engaging portion 33 provided on the tip side and a second engaging portion 34 provided on the large diameter portion 31A side of the first engaging portion 33.

[0037] The first engaging portion 33 includes a plurality of first recesses 33A arranged along the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 31. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 33 includes four first recesses 33A. Each first recess 33A is recessed toward the center of the shaft portion 31 and extends toward the base end. The depth of each first recess 33A decreases toward the base end.

[0038] The second engaging portion 34 includes a plurality of second recesses 34A arranged along the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 31. In this embodiment, the second engaging portion 34 includes four second recesses 34A. Each second recess 34A is recessed toward the center of the shaft portion 31. The bottom of each second recess 34A is provided with an inclined surface 34B that becomes shallower toward the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 31.

[0039] A disc-shaped flange 35 is provided at the base end of the shaft portion 31. The flange 35 is thin and flexible. As shown in Figures 6 and 9, an internal bore 37 is formed inside the shaft portion 31. The internal bore 37 extends from the end face of the base end towards the tip along axis A. The internal bore 37 may pass through the large diameter portion 31A and the tapered portion 31C and reach the small diameter portion 31B. A tool engagement portion 38 is formed at the opening of the internal bore 37, i.e., the end face of the base end of the shaft portion 31. The tool engagement portion 38 is preferably formed to be able to engage with a tool such as a Phillips screwdriver or a flathead screwdriver.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, a first cam 41 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the base end of the shaft portion 31. In this embodiment, two first cams 41 are arranged at 180-degree intervals with respect to axis A. Each first cam 41 is formed on an inclined surface that protrudes toward the main body portion 22 in the clockwise direction of the pin 16. It is preferable that each first cam 41 is provided at the boundary between the shaft portion 31 and the flange 35.

[0041] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the main body portion 22 is provided with a second cam 42 that contacts the first cam 41. In this embodiment, four second cams 42 are arranged on the second surface 22B of the main body portion 22 at 90-degree intervals with respect to axis A. Each second cam 42 protrudes from the second surface 22B and extends in a direction perpendicular to axis A.

[0042] The pin 16 is movable between a temporary fastening position and a fastened position relative to the grommet 15. As shown in Figure 7, when the pin 16 is in the temporary fastening position, each of the locking projections 25B engages with the first engaging portion 33. More specifically, when the pin 16 is in the temporary fastening position, each of the locking projections 25B engages with one of the first recesses 33A of the first engaging portion 33. As shown in Figure 11, when the pin 16 is in the fastened position, each of the locking projections 25B engages with the second engaging portion 34. More specifically, when the pin 16 is in the fastened position, each of the locking projections 25B engages with one of the second recesses 34A of the second engaging portion 34. The state in which the pin 16 is in the temporary fastening position is called the temporary fastening state of the clip 1. The state in which the pin 16 is in the fastened position is called the fastened state of the clip 1.

[0043] The operation and function of clip 1 are described below. Before attaching bracket 4 to panel 3, the worker temporarily fastens each clip 1. The worker can temporarily fasten clip 1 by inserting the shaft portion 31 of pin 16 into the receiving hole 21 of grommet 15 from the second surface 22B side. At this time, the tip of shaft portion 31 abuts against each locking projection 25B, causing each second piece 25A to elastically deform outward. When the first engaging portion 33 reaches each locking projection 25B, each locking projection 25B protrudes into the corresponding first recess 33A, and each second piece 25A returns to its initial state. As a result, clip 1 returns to its initial state.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, when the pin 16 is in the temporary fastening position, each of the first pieces 24A is displaceable toward the shaft 31 by facing the small diameter portion 31B with a gap between them. Also, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pair of retaining pieces 29 are positioned to surround the tip of the shaft 31, maintaining the posture of the shaft 31. This suppresses tilting of the shaft 31 relative to the grommet 15. As shown in Figure 6, the flange 35 is separated from the end face of the peripheral wall 26 of the grommet 15. Also, as shown in Figure 9, when the clip 1 is in the temporary fastening state, each first cam 41 is separated from the plurality of second cams 42.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the temporarily fixed clip 1 is inserted into the coupling hole 7, which is either the reference hole 7A or the sub-hole 7B. At this time, each claw portion 24B of each locking claw 24 is pressed against the edge of the coupling hole 7, and each first piece portion 24A elastically deforms toward the shaft portion 31. This allows each locking claw 24 to pass through the coupling hole 7. Once each claw portion 24B has passed through the coupling hole 7, each first piece portion 24A returns to its initial state, and each claw portion 24B locks onto the edge of the coupling hole 7. This temporarily fixes the clip 1 in the coupling hole 7. With the clip 1 temporarily fixed in the coupling hole 7, the four column portions 25C are positioned at the four corners of the coupling hole 7.

[0046] When the clip 1 is temporarily fastened in the coupling hole 7, the pin 16 is pushed into the fastening position by an operator or machine, and the clip 1 becomes fastened as shown in Figures 10 to 12. At this time, each locking projection 25B slides within the first recess 33A and reaches the second recess 34A connected to the first recess 33A. As shown in Figure 11, each first recess 33A becomes shallower towards the base end. Therefore, when each locking projection 25B slides within the opposing first recess 33A, each second piece 25A elastically deforms radially outward from the shaft 31. When each locking projection 25B enters the second recess 34A, each second piece 25A returns to its initial state. At the boundary between each first recess 33A and the corresponding second recess 34A, the second recess 34A is formed deeper than the first recess 33A. Therefore, each locking projection 25B can slide from the first recess 33A to the second recess 34A, but it cannot slide from the second recess 34A to the first recess 33A. As a result, the pin 16 is maintained in the fastened position.

[0047] As shown in Figure 10, when the pin 16 is in the fastening position, each of the first pieces 24A is in contact with the large diameter portion 31A, thereby restricting displacement toward the shaft portion 31. As a result, each claw portion 24B cannot pass through the coupling hole 7, and the clip 1 is maintained in a state of being coupled to the coupling hole 7. When the pin 16 is in the fastening position, the flange 35 is in close contact with the end face of the peripheral wall 26 of the grommet 15, covering the second surface 22B of the main body portion 22.

[0048] The operator can change the clip 1 from a fastened state to a temporarily fastened state by inserting a tool into the tool engagement portion 38 and rotating the pin 16 counterclockwise. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, as the pin 16 rotates counterclockwise, each locking projection 25B slides circumferentially along the inclined surface 34B of the corresponding second recess 34A and disengages from the second recess 34A. At this time, as shown in Figure 15, the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 slide against each other, causing the shaft portion 31 to move away from the receiving hole 21. As a result, as shown in Figure 13, each locking projection 25B slides along the outer surface of the small diameter portion 31B and moves towards the first recess 33A. This puts the clip 1 into a temporarily fastened state. When the clip 1 is in the temporarily fastened state, the operator can pull the clip 1 out of the coupling hole 7. At this time, the pair of locking claws 24 are pressed against the edge of the coupling hole 7 and elastically deform toward the shaft portion 31, thereby allowing them to pass through the coupling hole 7.

[0049] According to the embodiment of the clip 1, it is possible to provide a clip 1 that can maintain an appropriate fastening state regardless of the material. When the pin 16 is in the temporary fastening position, the locking claw 24 can be displaced toward the shaft portion 31, so the locking claw 24 can pass through the coupling hole 7. When the pin 16 is in the fastening position, the locking claw 24 cannot be displaced toward the shaft portion 31, so the locking claw 24 is maintained in a state of locking the coupling hole 7. When the pin 16 is in the fastening position, the locking claw 24 is not deformed, so plastic deformation of the locking claw 24 is suppressed. As a result, a material with relatively high rigidity, such as fiber-reinforced resin, can be used for the grommet 15. In addition, when the pin 16 is in the temporary fastening position, a gap is formed between the shaft portion 31 and the locking claw 24, but since the locking protrusions 25B and retaining pieces 29 of the multiple support pieces 25 surround the shaft portion 31, tilting of the shaft portion 31 relative to the grommet 15 is suppressed.

[0050] Since the retaining piece 29 holds the shaft portion 31 closer to the tip than the first piece portion 24A, tilting of the shaft portion 31 relative to the grommet 15 is more effectively suppressed. Because the retaining piece 29 is positioned to surround the tip of the shaft portion 31, tilting of the shaft portion 31 in various directions can be restricted. In addition, because the retaining piece 29 extends counterclockwise around axis A, even if the shaft portion 31 rotates counterclockwise when the clip 1 is released from the fastened state, the tip of the retaining piece 29 is prevented from catching on the shaft portion 31. This enables smooth rotation of the pin 16.

[0051] Because an internal bore 37 is formed inside the shaft portion 31, the shaft portion 31 becomes more elastically deformable. This makes it easier for the worker to push the shaft portion 31 from the temporary fixing position to the fastening position.

[0052] Next, the relationship between each clip 1 and the reference hole 7A and the three sub-holes 7B will be described. The pair of locking claws 24 of the clip 1 inserted into each sub-hole 7B engage with the pair of first edges 11 of the sub-hole 7B. That is, the displacement directions of the locking claws 24 of the grommets 15 inserted into each sub-hole 7B are the same. That is, the X direction of the clips 1 inserted into each sub-hole 7B is the same. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of locking claws 24 of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A also engage with the first edge 11 of the reference hole 7A.

[0053] The pair of support pieces 25 of the clip 1 inserted into each of the sub-holes 7B face the pair of second edges 12 of the sub-holes 7B. That is, the Y-directions of the clips 1 inserted into each of the sub-holes 7B are the same. In this embodiment, the pair of support pieces 25 of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A also face the second edges 12 of the reference hole 7A.

[0054] Figure 16 shows the support piece 25 of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A. Figure 17 shows the support piece 25 of the clip 1 inserted into the secondary hole 7B. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the distance from the tip of the column portion 25C to the connecting portion 25D of the clip 1 inserted into the secondary hole 7B is greater than the distance from the tip of the column portion 25C to the connecting portion 25D of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A. That is, the width of the connecting portion 25D of the clip 1 inserted into the secondary hole 7B in the direction along axis A is smaller than the width of the connecting portion 25D of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A in the direction along axis A. Also, the length of the slit 25E of the clip 1 inserted into the secondary hole 7B is longer than the length of the slit 25E of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A. As a result, the column portion 25C of the clip 1 inserted into the secondary hole 7B has higher flexibility than the column portion 25C of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A.

[0055] Due to manufacturing tolerances, the distance between the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A and the clip 1 inserted into the sub-hole 7B may differ from the distance between the reference hole 7A and each sub-hole 7B in the direction along the second side portion 12 (vertical direction). In this case, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the locking claw 24 and column portion 25C of the clip 1 inserted into the sub-hole 7B elastically deform and bend, allowing the locking claw 24 and column portion 25C to be inserted into the sub-hole 7B. At this time, since the locking claw 24 and column portion 25C are in contact with the edge of the sub-hole 7B, the clip 1 can be connected to the sub-hole 7B without rattling. In this way, since the locking claws 24 of the clip 1 inserted into each sub-hole 7B are displaceable in the same direction, each clip 1 can tolerate manufacturing tolerances in the direction of displacement of each locking claw 24. Since the locking claw 24 of each clip 1 is in contact with the edge of the corresponding sub-hole 7B, the stability of the fastening structure 2 is improved.

[0056] As shown in Figure 18, a recess 24C is formed on the tip of the first piece 24A on the shaft portion 31 side, in a direction opposite to that of the shaft portion 31. The recess 24C increases the gap between the first piece 24A and the shaft portion 31, allowing the first piece 24A to be displaced toward the shaft portion 31 when the pin 16 is in the temporary fixing position.

[0057] The inner hole 37 has the effect of increasing the flexibility of the shaft portion 31. As a result, even if the locking claw 24 inserted into the sub-hole 7B is tilted, the large-diameter portion 31A of the shaft portion 31 deforms toward the center, allowing the pin 16 to move from the temporary fixing position to the fastening position.

[0058] The connecting portion 25D of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A should protrude into the reference hole 7A. This suppresses deformation of the column portion 25C, and the clip 1 is positioned correctly relative to the reference hole 7A. In addition, since the four column portions 25C of the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A are positioned at the four corners of the reference hole 7A, the clip 1 is positioned correctly relative to the reference hole 7A.

[0059] The first edge 11 of the sub-hole 7B is larger than the width of the clip 1 in the direction along the first edge 11. Therefore, the clip 1 can move within the sub-hole 7B in the direction along the first edge 11. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the distance between the clip 1 inserted into the reference hole 7A and the clip 1 inserted into the sub-hole 7B may differ in the direction along the first edge 11 (left-right direction) relative to the distance between the reference hole 7A and each sub-hole 7B. In this case, the clip 1 moves within the sub-hole 7B in the direction along the first edge 11 to accommodate the manufacturing tolerance.

[0060] This concludes the description of specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be broadly modified and implemented. For example, the orientation of panel 3, and the positions and number of reference holes 7A and sub-holes 7B in panel 3 can be arbitrarily changed. Also, the positions and number of clips 1 in bracket 4 can be arbitrarily changed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1: Clip 2: Fastening structure 3: Panel 4: Bracket 7: Binding hole 7A: Reference hole 7B: Secondary hole 11: First side 12: Second side 15: Grommet 16: Pin 21: Receptor pore 22: Main body 24: Locking claw 24A: 1st piece 24B: Claw part 24C: Recessed 25: Support piece 25A: 2nd piece 25B: Locking convex part 25C: Column part 25D: Connection part 25E: Slit 29: Holding piece 29A: 1st part 29B:Second part 31: Shaft 31A: Large diameter section 31B: Small diameter part 33: First engaging part 33A: First recess 34: Second engaging part 34A: Second recess 34B: Inclined surface 41: First Cam 42: Second Cam

Claims

1. A clip for joining to a panel in which a bonding hole is formed, A grommet having a main body having a receiving hole, and a plurality of locking claws and a plurality of support pieces extending from around the receiving hole in the main body along the axis of the receiving hole, It has a pin having a shaft portion that is inserted into the receiving hole, The shaft portion has a large-diameter portion provided at the base end and a small-diameter portion provided at the tip end of the large-diameter portion and having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion. The small diameter portion has a first engaging portion provided on the tip side and a second engaging portion provided on the larger diameter portion side of the first engaging portion. Each of the locking claws has a first piece extending from the main body parallel to the axis of the receiving hole, and a claw portion protruding from the tip of the first piece toward the side opposite to the receiving hole. Each of the support pieces has a second piece extending from the main body parallel to the axis of the receiving hole, and a locking projection protruding from the tip of the second piece toward the receiving hole. The pin is movable relative to the grommet between a temporary fastening position in which each of the locking projections engages with the first engaging portion and a fastening position in which each of the locking projections engages with the second engaging portion. When the pin is in the temporary fixing position, each of the first pieces can be displaced toward the shaft portion by facing the small diameter portion with a gap between them. When the pin is in the fastening position, each of the first pieces contacts the large diameter portion, thereby restricting its displacement toward the shaft portion. A clip provided with a retaining piece extending in the circumferential direction about the axis at the tip of each of the second pieces.

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein each of the retaining pieces is positioned further away from the main body than the tip of the first piece.

3. The plurality of support pieces include a pair of support pieces, The clip according to claim 2, wherein in a cross section perpendicular to the axis, the pair of retaining pieces are arranged to form a frame shape surrounding the small diameter portion.

4. The second piece is inclined toward the shaft portion toward the tip, The clip according to claim 3, wherein the retaining piece is positioned on the shaft side of the base end of the second piece.

5. The second engaging portion includes a plurality of recesses arranged along the circumferential direction of the shaft portion, The clip according to claim 1, wherein each of the recesses is provided with an inclined surface whose depth decreases in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion.

6. A first cam is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the base end of the shaft portion. The main body is provided with a second cam that contacts the first cam. As the shaft rotates in a predetermined rotational direction, each of the locking protrusions slides on the corresponding inclined surface and disengages from the recess, and the first cam and the second cam slide against each other, causing the shaft to move in a direction that disengages from the receiving hole. The clip according to claim 5, wherein each of the retaining pieces extends in the rotational direction from the corresponding second piece portion.

7. The main body of the grommet is integrally formed with the bracket that supports the radar. The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the panel is a vehicle body panel.

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